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Arch irritant

28 September, 2007

So last Saturday saw the moment all footballing architecture fans had been waiting so long for. There had been trials and tribulations, tears, recrimination, months turning to years of delays, but finally it happened. Yes, at last a wheezing Astragal took to the pitch to make his debut for the Wandsworth Common over-40s five-a-side team. Oh, and the FA Cup final kicked off in the new Wembley Stadium as well. Although the cup final itself left much to be desired, with Didier Drogba’s goal breaking the torpor late on just as the excitement of penalties was looming, the stadium was nothing less than a triumph. Boasting more toilets than any other stadium in the world and room for 90,000 rabid spectators to sit in comfort, Norman Foster’s baby truly is a delight. But Astragal did spot one minor flaw, which, surprisingly, lies in the arena’s iconic arch. Irritant TV commentators John Motson and Martin Tyler, neither of whom has ever been known to pass up a punning opportunity, spent large parts of the game referring to ‘the arch rivals clashing under the arch’. Groan. Red card!

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